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In the U.S., the vast majority of people receive


their electricity from one of three types of utilities; investor-owned, municipal-owned or through their electric cooperative, which is owned and controlled by the people who use it. Let’s take a closer look at these three types of ownership models and see why


it matters to you. In the investor-owned model, the corporation is owned by a great number


of stockholders who may or may not be real customers of the utility. Investor- owned utilities tend to be very large corporations such as Public Service Company of Oklahoma (PSO) and West Texas Utilities (WTU), with American Electric Power (AEP) being the parent company of both utilities. T ey serve large cities, suburban areas and some rural areas, too. In most cases, investor-owned utilities (IOUs) have few employees in the


communities where they operate. T is, combined with the fact that they have outside investors whose sole motive is to make a profi t on their investment, generally tends to lead to less personalized service. Consumer surveys confi rm that IOUs have the lowest customer satisfaction ratings. About 72 percent of the U.S. population is served by investor-owned utilities. Municipal electric systems, as the name implies, are government owned.


T ey can serve large cities, like Los Angeles, Austin or Orlando, or smaller cities, like Altus, Mangum, Granite, Olustee or Eldorado in our surrounding area. In municipal systems, the city runs the utility with little to no meaningful oversight from the citizens. About 16 percent of the market is served by municipal utilities. Rural electric cooperatives serve the smallest number of consumers, about 12


percent of the market, which equals 42 million people. T ere are more than 800 other electric co-ops in 47 states in addition to Harmon Electric Association. While co-ops serve the fewest number of people, our electric lines cover more than 75 percent of the U.S. landmass. T is is because we provide power where others once refused to go because of the low population density. Electric co- ops rank highest in member satisfaction among the three types of utilities. We believe this is because we serve member-owners, not customers. As the electric utility business continues to evolve, we are committed to being


there for you, our member, to provide for your electric energy needs. Unlike large investor-owned utilities, we are rooted right here in Southwest Oklahoma and North Texas. Over the years, we have answered the call to provide additional benefi ts and services because it is extremely important to us that our community thrives and prospers. T is is why we off er energy audits, ERC Loans and rebates on Heat Pumps, Pre-Paid Metering, and the Cooperative Connections Card. For the youth in our area HEA off ers several diff erent programs, including Youth Tour, Cooperative Youth Leadership Camp, Energy Camp, Touchstone Energy Leadership Summit, College Scholarships, and Safety Programs for Schools. T ere is a cooperative diff erence. You own us, and we are here to serve


you!


HARMON ELECTRIC ASSOCIATION, INC 114 North First Hollis, OK 73550


Operating in


Beckham, Harmon, Jackson, Kiowa and Greer Counties in Oklahoma and Hardeman and Childress Counties in Texas


Member of Western Farmers Electric Cooperative Oklahoma Association of Electric Cooperatives National Rural Electric Cooperative Association National Rural Telecommunications Cooperative Texas Electric Cooperative, Inc. Oklahoma Rural Water Association, Inc.


of major concern to your electric cooperative. The following outline is to provide our members with an explanation of how Harmon Electric deals specifi cally with the discontinuance of electric service. At Harmon Electric Association the bills are mailed on the


25th day of the month. If the bill is not paid by the tenth day of the following month, a penalty of 1 ½% of the balance is added to the bill. If unable to pay the bill the co-op will offer the following


option:


1. A listing of public service agencies available to assist eligible persons.


2. A deferred payment plan as calculated by Harmon Electric.


3. The opportunity to notify the Cooperative that a life- threatening situation exists.


If the member hasn’t made arrangements for payment


by the 25th of the following month, the Cooperative shall disconnect service. If the member, at the time of disconnect, wishes to pay by


check, but has a history of dishonored checks, the Cooperative may contact the members bank for verifi cation of suffi cient funds before reconnecting the service. Below is a list of the Social Services Offi ces that can be contacted for fi nancial aid for paying electric bills:


BECKHAM COUNTY Dept. of Human Services 312 E Madden Suites Sayre, OK 73662 (580) 928-4000


HARMON COUNTY Dept. of Human Services Court House - 1st Floor Hollis, OK 73550 (580) 688-3361


KIOWA COUNTY Dept. of Human Services 430 S Main


Hobart, OK 73651 (580) 726-6500


Reduce energy for water heating. Take simple steps like lowering your water heater’s temperature and installing low-fl ow shower- heads to reduce your water heating bills.


HARMON ELECTRIC HI-LITES - Lisa Richard, Editor The Harmon Electric Hi-Lites is the publication of your local owned and operated rural electric cooperative, organized and incorporated under the laws of Oklahoma to serve you with low-cost electric power.


Charles Paxton ......................................................................................... Manager


BOARD OF TRUSTEES Pete Lassiter ..................................................................................................District 1 Jim Reeves ....................................................................................................District 2 Lee Sparkman ...............................................................................................District 3 Bob Allen .......................................................................................................District 4 Burk Bullington ..............................................................................................District 5 Jean Pence ....................................................................................................District 6 J. R. Conley ...................................................................................................District 7 Charles Horton .............................................................................................. Attorney


Monthly Board of Directors meetings Held Fourth Thursday of Each Month


IF YOUR ELECTRICITY GOES OFF, REPORT THE OUTAGE


We have a 24-hour answering service to take outage reports and dispatch service- men. Any time you have an outage to report in the Hollis or Gould exchange area, call our offi ce at 688-3342. Any other exchange


area call toll free, 1-800-643-7769.


TO REPORT AN OUTAGE, CALL 688-3342 or 1-800-643-7769 ANYTIME


GREER COUNTY Dept. of Human Services 130 N. Oklahoma Mangum, OK 73554 (580) 782-1000


JACKSON COUNTY Dept. of Human Services 1220 North Grady Altus, OK 73521 (580) 480-3400


The termination of electric service during severe weather is Rules For Cut-Off


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